News from around Scotland
New Chief for old clan
Dr. Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains
A
fter a gap of 12 years, and a lot of research, Clan Carruthers has a new chief.
Dr. Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains has been officially named as Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers by Dr Joseph J Morrow CBE, KStJ, QC, DL, Lord Lyon, King of Arms. Dr Carruthers is the great-great-great grandson of the last recognised Chief, John Carruthers 12th of Holmains, who died 210 years ago in 1809. His own descendancy can be traced back to the first chiefs of Mouswald in 1320.
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The undifferenced Arms of Carruthers, registered to the chiefly line since 1672 by John 9th of Holmains and blazoned Gules, two chevrons engrailed between three fleur de lis Or, are now borne by the new chief and can be seen above. They remain his visual and heraldic signature and are only used legally with his permission. The Clan Carruthers Society International is the official representative of Clan Carruthers and derivatives of the name. Although the clan has descendants all over the world the surname
is believed to have originated in the lowlands of Scotland around Dumfrieshshire. During the 13th century the clan rose to prominence under the Bruces and the chief was made stewards of Annandale. The Carruthers were considered something of an unruly clan by the Scottish and English authorities as the family and its supporters were active in carrying out border raids throughout the area in the 16th century.